Control and Prevention of Roof Rats

Roof rats can cause

structural problems, eat tree

crops, and spread disease.

Clearing the yard and

rat-proofing your house can

protect you from an

infestation.

About Roof Rats

Roof rats (Rattus rattus) multiply quickly. Slender and agile, they use fences as

runways and invade buildings via utility lines. They can cause problems by eating

residents’ tree crops while still on the tree, creating structural damage in homes, and

by potentially spreading disease.

Diseases: Bubonic Plague: Although uncommon, high rat populations increase risk of outbreaks

Leptospirosis: Spreads through food and water contaminated with infected rat urine

Salmonellosis: Bacterial “food poisoning” transmitted when rodents contaminate foods

Where do they live?

Roof rats nest in a variety of material commonly found in yards and homes:

Dense bushes/hedges

Sheds and garages

Storage boxes

Wood and lumber piles

Overgrown ivy and shrubs

Palm trees and yuccas

Your house

What do they eat? They eat many foods, including items found in your home:

Overripe fruit from trees (especially oranges and avocados)

Pet food/bird feed

Grass seed

Vegetables

Snails

Ivy

Property Owner Responsibility

California State Health and

Safety Code states that property

owners are responsible for

keeping their property free of

rodent activity (17920.3). In

extreme cases, where the owner

does not accept their

responsibility to the public or

those living on the property,

local authorities may be brought

in to solve the rat problem, and

costs will need to be paid by the

property owner.

Thin or remove ivy and hedges

Santa Clara County

Vector Control District

1580 Berger Dr.

San Jose, CA 95112

Phone: 408-918-4770

www.sccvector.org

Fruit eaten by roof rats

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Updated 3/16

Trapping is a good

control method in

homes where signs of

rats are identified

around food, children,

or animals.

“Snap Traps” are

inexpensive and come in

two sizes. The larger size

is for rats and the

smaller size is for mice.

Prevention and Control

YARD MAINTENANCE

REMOVE FOOD SOURCES

Stop pests by blocking entrances to your home:

Make sure garage doors and outside doors fit

without a gap at the bottom

Replace missing or broken vent screens

Seal off holes or gaps between roof tiles and

around pipe entrances with metal, concrete or hardware cloth

Clear tree branches away from home

Make sure all screens are made of 1/4 inch

galvanized hardware cloth

Remove places for rats to nest in your yard:

Thin dense vegetation and ivy. Plant

drought resistant ground cover that

does not climb or grow higher than 10

inches

Keep sheds and storage areas closed off

and neat

Keep firewood 18 inches off the ground

and 12 inches away from walls

Fix leaky spigots and broken irrigation

to eliminate water sources

Rats eat a variety of foods commonly found around the house.

Pick up from the ground or harvest fruits and nuts from trees

Pick up dog droppings daily

Remove clutter and garbage

Keep garbage cans covered

Don’t leave pet food or water outside

Clean up bird feed

Learning to identify signs of rats will help

you to avoid serious issues later. Here are

some common signs that rats are present:

Partially eaten fruits or nuts, especially walnuts, oranges, lemons, and avocados

Broken snail shells around bushes

Gnaw marks or teeth marks on plastic, wood or rubber

Greasy rub marks on wooden or painted surfaces

Presence of rat droppings: slightly curved, dark in color, and about 1/2 inch long

Sounds (gnawing and running) from attic, subfloor areas, and wall spaces.

A Santa Clara County Vector Control District

Technician can advise homeowners on

appropriate baiting and/or trapping

procedures, and will provide other information

on the control and prevention of rodent

problems.

Call for a free inspection:

408-918-4770.

Rat rub and gnaw marks Proper rat trap placement

Place traps where the rats are likely to visit: runways like fence tops and next to walls. Make sure the trigger is facing the wall.

peanut butter

nuts

bacon

oatmeal

apple pieces

candy

For bait, use foods that appeal to roof rats:

RAT CONTROL

Overripe fruit on the ground will attract rats who can tunnel underneath turf.

STOP THE INVASION RECOGNIZING RATS